A SIXTH Diagnosis & a Major Depression

Many of you are aware of the stressful nature of events throughout the last 1 - 1/2 years and, like the rest of my journey, hope there is some portion that can help someone else who may be experiencing the same feelings.

I have a NEW SIXTH Diagnosis (and they assure me this is a final diagnosis) for the tummy abscesses I've been experiencing.  The micro-organism has been identified as Mycobacterium fortuitum.  I have had seromas and drainage of those areas in my left tummy since shortly after my surgery in April 2008.  These have been aspirated and opened spontaneously along suture lines.  I have had six abscesses to date and am now on Bactrim DS, Bactrim SS and Ciprofloxin 500 mg ... all 2 x a day ... for approximately 6 months.  

The picture is of 3 of them that had been drained and were healing before more of them popped up and we got on the right antibiotics.  Tummy now has 5 of them and 1 on my hip .. and the top one on my tummy just started hurting today and feels like there is something in it.  Will watch it and call the University of Iowa to report.  There is a possibility they will have to add yet another antibiotic if it persists.

Here is some general information from an article from the National Institutes of Health ...

-The clues for diagnosis were persistent pus discharge in spite of broad spectrum antibiotics and failure to grow any organisms on routine culture.
-Combination antibiotic therapy with surgical drainage in more extensive diseases is essential for cure.
-These mycobacteria are known to cause cutaneous infections, typically in association with trauma or clinical procedures.
-The characteristic features of surgical wound infections caused by M. fortuitum resemble that of pyogenic abscesses and include local erythema, induration, microabscesses and discharge from sinuses.
-It must be emphasized that skin and soft tissue infections caused by M. fortuitum can be treated successfully only through a combined approach - with surgical removal of all necrotic, drainage of purulent accumulations and antibiotic therapy. Wounds must be left open and packed to prevent early closure of skin, which can result in the reaccumulation of pus and the appearance of new draining fistulas. Combination therapy seems prudent initially because of concerns about resistance.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2739555  There is a nice case study that is fairly easy to scan .. at the National Institutes of Health link I've provided.

To top things off, I had 3 people who I thought of as dear friends who stopped all communication without any explanation and because I believe in true friendship it hurt deeply.  Between that and a family issue that is causing much pain and retrospection, I finally broke.  

When I couldn't get out of bed for 2 days and cried all the time, I realized I was in trouble and sought help.  I am now on antidepressant medication, anti-anxiety medication (prn - as needed), and counseling.  

When I started my journey 3 years ago ... I had to tackle a lot of emotional baggage as to why I was overweight and the underlying feelings that I was trying to mask (self-medicate) with food.  It took a lot of hard work, an open mind, and new ways of looking at things.  I lost 150 pounds ... and then gained 20.  I have hovered between 199 and 210 for the past year.  It is not because I don't know what to do .. I have some unresolved underlying issues/feelings that need to surface and be dealt with in order to continue my journey.

I thank G-d that I have each of you in my life, for each day of life, and for always being there for me.  I am grateful that as we allow a door to close that others open.  I say allow, because I have been known to be stubborn and try to hold the door closed and keep things the same .. when I do not know best.  When I finally stand out of the way and quit fighting, the door closes easily and many other doors, better ones, open.

Slowly I am working my way back to the group but am taking care of me first.  You'll see me slowly posting and then working my way back ... and just know ... I could not do this without ALL OF YOU!!!!  We NEED EACH OTHER!!!

Much love and my deepest gratitude for all the love, support, and hard work you are doing to keep the board cleared.  MedHelp is an important part of my life and is one of the "carrots" "Rewards" I am using in my recovery.